Sound Therapy - Hope for Tinnitus Sufferers

Because so many of my musician friends suffer from tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, I was really excited to read this article on Medindia.com dated February 15, 2007.  It seems that the administration of low pitched tones gives relief, albeit temporary, from the incessant, annoying high-pitched ringing that just about drives people crazy.  This is great news - pass it on:       

Low Pitch Therapy for ‘Ringing in the Ears’

UC Irvine researchers have found a treatment for tinnitus, the hearing damage loud music can cause.

Fan-Gang Zeng and colleagues have identified an effective way to treat the symptoms of tinnitus, a form of hearing damage typically marked by high-pitched ringing that torments more than 60 million Americans. The researchers found that a low-pitched sound applied by a simple MP3 player suppressed and provided temporary relief from the high-pitch ringing tone associated with the disorder.

Tinnitus is caused by injury, infection or the repeated bombast of loud sound, and can appear in one or both ears. It’s no coincidence that many rock musicians, and their fans, suffer from it. Although known for its high-pitched ringing, tinnitus is an internal noise that varies in its pitch and frequency. Some treatments exist, but none are consistently effective.

Zeng presented his study Feb. 13 at the Middle Winter Research Conference for Otolaryngology in Denver.

“Tinnitus is one of the most common hearing disorders in the world, but very little is understood about why it occurs or how to treat it,” said Zeng, a professor of otolaryngology, biomedical engineering, cognitive sciences, and anatomy and neurobiology. “We are very pleased and surprised by the success of this therapy, and hopefully with further testing it will provide needed relief to the millions who suffer from tinnitus.”

At first, Zeng thought of treating the tinnitus with a high-pitched sound, a method called masking that is sometimes used in tinnitus therapy attempts. But he ruled out that option because of the severity of the patient's tinnitus, so an opposite approach was explored, which provided unexpectedly effective results.

After making many adjustments, the researchers created a low-pitched, pulsing sound -- described as a “calming, pleasant tone” of 40 to 100 hertz of frequency --which, when applied to the patient through a regular MP3 player, suppressed the high-pitched ringing after about 90 seconds and provided what the patient described as a high-level of continued relief.

Zeng's patient programs the low-pitched sound through his cochlear implant, and Zeng is currently studying how to apply this treatment for people who do not use any hearing-aid devices. Since a cochlear implant replaces the damaged mechanism in the ear that stimulates the auditory nerve, Zeng believes that a properly pitched acoustic sound will have the same effect on tinnitus for someone who does not use a hearing device.

Dr. Hamid Djalilian, a UCI physician who treats hearing disorders, points out that a custom sound can be created for the patients, who then can download it into their personal MP3 player and use it when they need relief.

“The treatment, though, does not represent a cure,” Zeng said. “This low-pitch therapeutic approach is only effective while being applied to the ear, after which the ringing can return. But it underscores the need to customize stimulation for tinnitus suppression and suggests that balanced stimulation, rather than masking, is the brain mechanism underlying this surprising finding.”

 

Relief from tinnitus

Tight Belly Syndrome

These days, everything has become a 'syndrome' or a bona fide 'disease.'  In keeping with this philosophy, I've decided to name another ailment that causes a lot of distress for singers, speakers, and most everyone else who grew up in Western Society.  I call it "Tight Belly Syndrome,, and it has become an epidemic!

When we were children we didn't worry about our body image.  We had round, soft bellies and weren't shy or ashamed of our perfect little tummies.  Years of cultural input taught us that a relaxed, soft belly was unattractive, and so we learned to 'suck in' to the point of becoming unconscious of our chronically tight bellies!

Lots of people think they are supposed to tighten up the stomach area when they sing. Correct breathing is just the opposite!  You must have a soft, relaxed belly in order for the diaphragm to be able to optimally descend - allowing for a full breath.  If you're not supporting your vocal mechanism with your breath, your body will compensate by holding the tone with a clenched jaw, raised larynx, tight chest and other uncomfortable, unconscious habits.

Today I want to celebrate the soft belly!   If you're suffering from "Tight Belly Syndrome," then practice being conscious of your breathing, letting the belly relax, and breathing slow and low.  It will feel fantastic!  You'll sing better, speak more powerfully, and will reap all the benefits of a well-oxygenated blood stream!

If you have a question about correct breathing, speaking or singing, please ask me at:  http://www.vivalavoice.com.

Relax the belly

Face Lift Surgery Aided by Music Therapy

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon Andrew Jacono, M.D., F.A.C.S., has developed a quick recovery face lift procedure which combines state-of-the art, minimal-incision face lifting techniques and homeopathic medicine performed under a local anesthetic for an easier recovery and natural-looking result.

Until recently, patients desiring a younger look have had to submit to a face lift procedure that required a two to three week recovery and a risk of visible scarring. "Today, a highly skilled facial plastic surgeon can perform a face lift without "tell tale" scars and by combining several techniques the patient can look exceptionally well in as quickly as two or three days," says Dr. Jacono.

  

Using Novocain-like drugs, Lidocaine and Marcaine, to numb the face with several painless injections from a tiny needle that spreads the medicine slowly to avoid even the slightest discomfort, Dr. Jacono performs a quick recovery procedure while the patient is awake and alert, yet totally comfortable. "General anesthetic drugs cause major physiologic changes that cause bruising and swelling and without them, the recovery is significantly and even amazingly faster," says Dr. Jacono. Additionally, general anesthesia can induce vomiting which can lead to further trauma and torn sutures for some patients.

To ease the stress and fear some patients may have about being awake during surgery, Dr. Jacono also incorporates Music Therapy. "Studies indicate that the use of music helps lower patient's blood pressure during surgery, which limits bleeding, and therefore minimizes bruising," says Dr. Jacono who references a March 2006 article in the Journal of Advanced Nursing. Lavender aromatherapy is also being introduced prior to surgery to help promote relaxation.

Music therapy eases the trauma of face lifts

Music Eases Pain

In a 1986 paper published by the Journal of Music Therapy,  a research associate at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute described the effects of music therapy on women in labor. For ten contractions, women listened to songs they had previously used as part of their relaxation techniques. They then alternated five music-less minutes for the duration of labor.

The women reported fewer pain responses--tense muscles, clenched teeth,  raised shoulders and requests for painkillers--while music played.  As I've said in earlier blogs, music is a great analgesic for pain!

Dentists have also discovered the effect of music on patients who wear headphones while having dental procedures.  The music blocks the sound of the drill, diminishes pain, and reduces patient anxiety.  Next time you go to the dentist, ask to have headphones with your favorite music, or bring your own ipod!

More and more hospitals are using music to speed healing and relax patients during surgery and in post-operative situations.

Music can relieve pain at the dentist's office

Chanting for Stress Relief

There is so much ancient wisdom that can be applied to today's stress-related disorders.  In the earliest cultures, chanting was used as a healing tool by individuals, Shamans, and in a group setting.  There's something very powerful about chanting in unison; the vibrations are incredible and wonderfully healing.

Dr. Ranjie Singe, author of the book Powerful Self-Healing Techniques, found that chanting causes the release of the hormone melatonin. In many studies, low melatonin levels have been shown to lead to depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Years ago, Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School observed that chanting helps to cause reduction of heart beat, brain waves and respiration - also known as the “relaxation response.”

On an energetic level, Dr. David Shananoff-Khalsa has found that reciting some specific sacred mantras enables the tongue to stimulate the acupuncture meridians inside the mouth, balancing the flow of chi through the body - especially the pineal gland - thus helping the body to relieve stress.

Chanting Relieves Stress

Why Take Voice Lessons?

One excellent reason for taking voice lessons is simply to get the vocal skills that will become second nature to you.  As you begin singing better, without thought or stress, then what happens?  You stop thinking about your voice, and start focusing on your story.

Your story is what underlies the lyric and is your means to inspire, instruct, or touch your audience.  Never forget that you are a storyteller, first and foremost.  Being a technically good singer is just icing on the cake.  The mark of great singers is not how brilliant their techniques are, but how adept they are at eliciting emotion from their listeners.

Take voice lessons to learn how to sing better and overcome your vocal challenges so that you can stop thinking about technique, and begin thinking about the character who is singing through you.

Voice lessons allow you to stop thinking about technique
 and start thinking about the story you're telling

What to Do with Your Hands

Beginning performers always ask 'what do I do with my hands?' Usually, their inexperience makes them stand like a stick with their hands at their sides, or inside their pants pockets; even with hands clasped behind them.

What you do with your hands when you're singing is not a big mystery! Very simply, if you're engaged in the story you're singing, then your hands will just naturally follow the action and emotion of the story you're telling.

When you speak, you use your hands unconsciously. It should be the same for singing - just focus on your lyrics - your story - and tell the story. Your hands will physically follow your action.

If you focus not on your hands, but on what you're singing about, you won't even think about your gestures. They will be authentic and natural.

Use Your Hands Effectively

Pronunciation

One thing I work on a lot with my singers and speakers is pronunciation.  I remind them that even though they may feel that they are speaking or singing clearly, usually they are not being clearly understood.

When you take the stage, you've got to remember that your audience has probably never heard you before, the topic you are speaking about, or the lyrics to your songs.  When you introduce yourself, most of your audience will be hearing your name for the first time, so you want to make sure that they understand your name and what company you are with!  Don't just toss it off like it's a grocery list, say your name as though it's very important to you, and important for the audience to know, also!

Most singers think that their lyrics are very clear, but it's my experience to the contrary.  I rarely understand someone's lyrics.  So I work with singers in opening up their words.  Not to over-pronounce and be phony or exaggerated, but to make space inside their mouth for the words to come out clearly.  When you don't do this, you smash your words down and they aren't understandable.

To practice, just experiment with exaggerating your lyrics or spoken word, and test it out on your friends.  Ask them if you sound over the top.  If so, back off a bit.  But I'll bet you'll be surprised that they'll say 'I understood you fine - you weren't exaggerated at all!'  What feels too open to you, is probably just about right in the real world of singing and speaking!  Be confident enough in yourself to speak or sing in a way that you will be heard, and understood.  Don't be afraid to pronounce your words.

Open up your words

At Long Last, Trader Joe's In Utah!

This isn't on the topic of singing, or songwriting or public speaking.  But this news DOES make my heart sing --- Trader Joe's is finally coming to Utah, and all is right with the world.  Milk chocolate covered potato chips; sushi you can afford; healthy meals you can prepare in minutes; and gourmet goodies that make you want to belt out 'Halleluja'!

Source: ksl.com via Beth on Pinterest

Having Trouble Hitting High Notes?

Hitting the High Notes

One of the most common complaints I hear from singers is 'I can't sing high!'  Usually when they try to hit 'high' notes, their throat closes up and they can't squeak out the note!

The culprit is almost always the larynx, or voicebox.  It's connected to the base of the tongue, so that when the larynx raises, the base of the tongue generally raises. If the tongue is raised then your sound gets blocked.

But that's only a part of the problem!  The real issue is the position of the larynx, and how it affects your vocal production.  If your larynx jams up when you do an ascending line, or 'high' note, you are essential 'strangling' the tone, and not only does that cut off the sound, but it's really uncomfortable, too!

In Bel Canto singing, on which my Lawrence Vocal System is based, the larynx is supposed to stay in a relaxed, lowered position throughout your range.  Thinking of keeping a 'yawning' feeling when you sing opens the throat and keeps the larynx in the right position.  It will take some awareness and practice, but once you learn to keep the larynx in that correct position, your singing will be unbelievably easy!

                                                      

Got Vocal Nodules? Rest Your Voice!

Vocal rest for Singer's Nodules - http://allaboutvoice.com/healthy-voice-blog.html

Cure Vocal Nodules Naturally

Here's a great article from the Healthy Voice Blog on vocal nodules and how to cure them naturally.  Before you have surgery, read this article.

Singing Can Improve Your Memory!

If you want to exercise your brain and improve your memory, try learning a new song!  Not only will you have to learn a new melody, but singing a lyric without looking at the words on paper will certainly help vitalize your memorization skills.

Memorizing is a brain exercise, so start singing if you want to keep your brain cells firing and active throughout your life!

Exercise Your Brain

My 'Featured Article' on musesmuse.com!

My article 'Why Songwriters Should Be Fearless Singers' is a 'Featured Article' this month on musesmuse.com - a great website resource for Songwriters.

 Part of your job as a speaker/singer is to know how to control the equipment you use onstage, and be able to articulate what you need from the sound person.

I've been on tour with big name acts (male and female) who could not (after long careers onstage!) tell the sound person what kind of reverb they'd like (long decay/big room etc.); what frequency panel they'd prefer for their vocal quality; or what they wanted to hear, or not hear in their monitors.  I usually had to play interference explaining to the sound booth easy directives like 'boost the mids, drop the highs' etc. just so that we could finish the sound check!

I once saw a concert with Petula Clark, who at that time had been a seasoned veteran for many years.  Her mic cord came unplugged, and SERIOUSLY, she looked around helplessly until a tech came and plugged it back in!  I was stunned at her lack of professionalism.  I can't believe that she wouldn't know how to plug the mic back in, and it really was too stupid to chalk up to being a Diva!

I think it goes for everyone to KNOW YOUR EQUIPMENT, and know how to talk to your crew on a technical level.  That's the best way to assure that you'll get the sound you want, and the respect and cooperation of those working being the stage to make you look and sound great!

What Is Your Song About?

When I'm working with students and they've just finished singing a song for the first time, the first question I ask is - 'what is this song about?'  Shockingly, most people say 'I don't know!'  How can you tell a story, when you don't know what the story is about?  Well, I guess you could, but if you don't have a clue about what story you're telling, don't expect your audience to care a bit about your song!

Singing is about communication, and in order to have your audience feel something you have to be feeling something yourself.  Otherwise, you're just spouting empty words and phrases with no emotion behind them.  You might as well be speaking a foreign language or gibberish!

Look at your lyrics.  Understand the point of view of the character who is singing through you.  Get to the subtext of the lyric….what emotion underlies the words you are singing?  Then, feel that emotion, don't just sing the words, feel the words.  Your audience will not only understand your story, but they will relate to the emotion contained in the lyrics that you are expertly delivering.

So before you even start singing a song, ask yourself 'what is this song about?', making sure that the lyric is appropriate for your age, as well as your life experience.  A ten year old girl shouldn't be singing a song about divorce or a lost love, but strangely I hear this with students all the time.  Pick a lyric that you can relate to emotionally, then let those emotions carry through the story of the song.  You will connect with your audience in a way that will make your performance emotionally supercharged and unbelievably memorable!

So, 'what is your song about?'

Let Emotion Help You Hit Your Notes

A really amazing thing happens when you lock into the emotion of your song and stop thinking about technique -- you can easily hit notes that might be a challenge for you.  Why does this happen?  First, because since singing is 90 percent mental, when you stop thinking about your problem notes, your emotion gives you the vocal power to hit those notes easily.

Second, when you're singing in the emotional moment, your fear disappears!  Fear keeps you from going fully for a note, and without total conviction and full support, your fear will keep you from your best performance.

 

So get into the emotion of your song, stop thinking, and let your voice fly free!

                                                              

Today I spoke at the Granite Young Parent's Graduation - a program supported by the Salt Lake Soroptimists.  So inspiring!  These are young women who are either pregnant or have a child and they graduated from High School today!  Good for them.  I spoke on 'Divas Decide!' - deciding on a goal, committing to it, and having the courage to see it through.  They earned their Diva Status!

Nothing in life is easy, and I am proud of these young women who had a lot of challenges, but still completed their high school education.  I wish them all the most success!

Don't Sing Like a Trumpet Player

I recently worked with a man who had played trumpet all his life.  He had bought my book From Shower To Stage….7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!, and when he got to the breathing section he hit a snag.

When you sing, you have to have a soft belly, and essentially breathe from the diaphragm, allowing the tummy to be relaxed.  He was so used to making his stomach tight, and pushing out the sound while playing trumpet, that it was a major adjustment for him to breathe with a soft belly.

If there's any tension in your body there will be tension in your throat.  In the Lawrence Vocal System you let all that tension go, relax the tummy, relax the jaw, relax the throat, and just allow your unimpeded voice to flow out.  It's that simple!

But most of my students have to do a lot of work on letting go of past conditioning, both mental and physical.  They have to learn that the way they used to sing no longer works, and they have to be open to adopting a new way of approaching their vocal production.  Their willingness to let those old habits go will speed their ability to sing easily without strain or stress.

So if you used to play trumpet and push your sound out with a lot of force; if you used to support your tone by pushing your stomach out; if you used to make your voice louder by putting more pressure on your throat; just know that those are old destructive habits that no longer serve you. Let go of the idea that you have to sing like a trumpet player. There is a better way!

Can You Say 'Ahhhhh?'

One of the secrets to great singing, which also happens to be one of my 7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!, is keeping an open throat while singing.  In order to get a rich, full sound, you want the soft palate raised while the back of the tongue stays relaxed and flat.  This gives maximum 'space' for your tone to exit the mouth without obstructions.  Many times when the throat is not fully open, you will get a sound that is pinched.  When the tongue is raised in the middle, your sound shoots right up the nose, giving you a very nasally sound.

So how do you develop an open throat?  Simple!  Start practicing a fake 'yawn,' feeling the throat open and widen as you do this.  When you've mastered the 'yawn,' then just adopt that same open feeling before and during your singing.  This will raise the soft palate, flatten the tongue and lower the larynx.

Remember when the doctor would look in your throat with the tongue depressor?  Same thing.  He was flattening your tongue as your 'ahhhhh' raised the soft palate!

So the next time you begin singing, think of how your throat feels when you say 'ahhhhh' and keep that open feeling as you sing.  A simple concept, but one that takes practice and awareness.

To sing well, just say 'ahhhhh'!